‘Prison Awareness Evening’
To Explore Corrections Issues

The United States leads the world in the proportion of its residents that are locked up. An even higher percentage of African American citizens serves time in jail, with a much higher conviction rate than white citizens who have commited comparable crimes. In the 1980's, Vermont's Corrections budget was about $20 million; today it is $100 million. And recidivism rates are high.

These are some of the topics up for discussion on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. with prisons expert and former state senator Will Hunter at Bethany Church in Randolph.

The evening, sponsored by Bethany’s Advocacy Committee, "is designed to raise consciousness about incarceration in Vermont and the United States," according to Betty Edson.

The meeting will start with a short video, prepared by John Lutz, which will give some of the basic facts. This will be followed by a presentation by Hunter, on the situation in Vermont. The evening will conclude with a question and answer time.

Will Hunter, an expert on the Corrections Department, serves on the Dismas House Board, a facility with locations in Rutland and Burlington, for people in transition from incarceration to life "outside." He’s also on the advisory board for the Community High School of Vermont, which provides high school education for young people in jail.

Hunter, the pastor of the Perkinsville Community Church, works with the Prison Justice Sub-Committee of the Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ.

"All are welcome to attend and take advantage of this opportunity to learn about problems in the prison system and possible solutions," Edson urged.

Refreshments will be served.